General Notes

Jan 9, 1980 letter to Nera Jean Moorer

I am the son of Joseph John and Terry Ann Daniel. Our family lived in Kemper County at DeKalb. There were 5 of us: Howard, myself, Guy, Claudy, one girl Mary Francis. While going to school in DeKalb I worked all my spare time in the newspaper office and learned the printing trade.

I left DeKalb in 1924 and joined John Willie here in St. Louis. I continued to follow the printing trade and over the years I worked for all the newspaper and other large printing plants. I am now and for many years been a member of the International Typographical Union. Eleven time elected asn an officer in this union.

In World War II I was drafted into the Army in March 2943. Took Infantry Basic Training at Ft. McClelland, Alabama. Went overseas and joined the 34th. Infantry Division and saw service thru North Africa and Italy. On Feb. 2, 1944 I was wounded in battle of Casion in Italy. I received a severe arm injury from a sniper's bullet. I was sent back to States and spent 11 months in hospitals. I was or my arm was operated on here in States and the wait was long but successful. I was discharged in Aug. 1945. Returned to St. Louis and went to work for the St. Louis Post Dospatch. I am now retired from that newspaper since March 1972. I will be 74 years old in June and in good health.

I might add that Claudy was drafted in World War I but an honorable medical discharge and did not go overseas.

My older brother McLaurin enlisted in World War I in the Navy, He was in a mine laying force and spent almost a year after World War I was over sweeping out their mines from the English Channel.